THIRD YEAR UNDERGRADUATE
Dhruvan Modugula—Fiberglas Canada Inc. Award
Dhruvan Modugula—Fiberglas Canada Inc. Award
About the Award
Fiberglas Canada Inc. Award:
The Award recognizes the combination of extra-curricular contributions in the field of study related to Architecture/Building/Construction and the academic achievements of a student enrolled full-time in the Department of Architectural Science who has made a notable contribution to professionally-related student activities within the Department of Architectural Science.
In the Department of Architectural Science (DAS), architecture is defined by momentum. It progresses from research to design, from drawings to construction, and ultimately to integration into the public realm. I have embraced this momentum by connecting academic achievement with tangible impact within the DAS community. Whether presenting my research internationally, documenting our department’s design-build culture for showing the DAS legacy, or leading students through a BIA design-build project, my commitment remains the same: making architecture visible, accessible, and impactful.
Academic Research
The Department of Architectural Science has expanded my educational experience through research opportunities, which I have had the privilege to present on international stages. These opportunities allow for me to see the relevance and contribution of evolving the discourse on architecture’s role in pedagogy and practice. The first explores the intersection of video game technology, architecture pedagogy, and practice, examining how immersive environments influence design communication and professional expectations. The second investigates impermanence in material strategies, analyzing emerging materials like clay, moss, and mycelium as tools for ecological benefit in response to climate urgency. The third critiques public disengagement from architectural rhetoric and advocates for designing spaces that are accessible and transparent to those that use them.
Experiential Learning
My extra-curricular work has been focused on bridging the gap between my design education and tangible learning, transforming architectural ideas into built form. Through design-build installations, competitions, and collaborative initiatives, I sought to create lasting interventions that connect with students, faculty, and the industry.
As project lead for two window installation proposals, I directed a team of over 15 students. We developed storefront-scale proposals for the Yonge and Dundas BIA and the Yonge and St. Clair BIA. These roles required managing concept development, presentations with stakeholders, and fabrication planning. The Yonge & St. Clair BIA proposal has been approved and is moving to fabrication, demonstrating my leadership in student-led initiatives that reach the public built environment. I also played a key role on the fabrication team for two consecutive Park(ing) Day installations (2024 and 2025). My involvement in the fabrication of the Winter Stations and Toronto Botanical Garden installations, Solair and Solstice, further demonstrates my hands-on experience and my commitment to teamwork.
Student Governance
My leadership within DAS is defined by a commitment to creating opportunities for my peers. As VP Academics for the Architectural Course Union, I work to strengthen connections between students, faculty, and industry. I am co-organizing the 2026 DAS Year-End Show, bringing together professional partners and faculty to celebrate student work, and collaborating with Professor Jennifer Esposito to launch the Women in Architecture Symposium, a platform for dialogue on representation and equity in the field. Whether organizing exhibitions, mentorship initiatives, or symposium, my focus remains on supporting students, amplifying their voices, and connecting them with the architectural community.
In Gratitude
I am deeply grateful to Fiberglas Canada Inc. for this recognition, and to the Department of Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University for providing an environment that constantly challenges and inspires innovation. I would also like to thank my professors, mentors, and peers whose guidance and collaboration have shaped my academic and design journey.
Fiberglas Canada Inc. Award:
The Award recognizes the combination of extra-curricular contributions in the field of study related to Architecture/Building/Construction and the academic achievements of a student enrolled full-time in the Department of Architectural Science who has made a notable contribution to professionally-related student activities within the Department of Architectural Science.
In the Department of Architectural Science (DAS), architecture is defined by momentum. It progresses from research to design, from drawings to construction, and ultimately to integration into the public realm. I have embraced this momentum by connecting academic achievement with tangible impact within the DAS community. Whether presenting my research internationally, documenting our department’s design-build culture for showing the DAS legacy, or leading students through a BIA design-build project, my commitment remains the same: making architecture visible, accessible, and impactful.
Academic Research
The Department of Architectural Science has expanded my educational experience through research opportunities, which I have had the privilege to present on international stages. These opportunities allow for me to see the relevance and contribution of evolving the discourse on architecture’s role in pedagogy and practice. The first explores the intersection of video game technology, architecture pedagogy, and practice, examining how immersive environments influence design communication and professional expectations. The second investigates impermanence in material strategies, analyzing emerging materials like clay, moss, and mycelium as tools for ecological benefit in response to climate urgency. The third critiques public disengagement from architectural rhetoric and advocates for designing spaces that are accessible and transparent to those that use them.
Experiential Learning
My extra-curricular work has been focused on bridging the gap between my design education and tangible learning, transforming architectural ideas into built form. Through design-build installations, competitions, and collaborative initiatives, I sought to create lasting interventions that connect with students, faculty, and the industry.
As project lead for two window installation proposals, I directed a team of over 15 students. We developed storefront-scale proposals for the Yonge and Dundas BIA and the Yonge and St. Clair BIA. These roles required managing concept development, presentations with stakeholders, and fabrication planning. The Yonge & St. Clair BIA proposal has been approved and is moving to fabrication, demonstrating my leadership in student-led initiatives that reach the public built environment. I also played a key role on the fabrication team for two consecutive Park(ing) Day installations (2024 and 2025). My involvement in the fabrication of the Winter Stations and Toronto Botanical Garden installations, Solair and Solstice, further demonstrates my hands-on experience and my commitment to teamwork.
Student Governance
My leadership within DAS is defined by a commitment to creating opportunities for my peers. As VP Academics for the Architectural Course Union, I work to strengthen connections between students, faculty, and industry. I am co-organizing the 2026 DAS Year-End Show, bringing together professional partners and faculty to celebrate student work, and collaborating with Professor Jennifer Esposito to launch the Women in Architecture Symposium, a platform for dialogue on representation and equity in the field. Whether organizing exhibitions, mentorship initiatives, or symposium, my focus remains on supporting students, amplifying their voices, and connecting them with the architectural community.
In Gratitude
I am deeply grateful to Fiberglas Canada Inc. for this recognition, and to the Department of Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University for providing an environment that constantly challenges and inspires innovation. I would also like to thank my professors, mentors, and peers whose guidance and collaboration have shaped my academic and design journey.
